"It was an ugly game in thesecond half," he said. "No onecould make a shot. JimmyValvano's old line about surviveand advance -- that's whatwe're trying to do."

That's what North Carolinafailed to do a year ago at theFinal Four, where Kansasswamped the Tar Heels with a40-12 start. Saturday, NorthCarolina raced to a 40-23 lead.Only once did Villanovashow a pulse. The Wildcatstrimmed the margin to 50-45early in the second half, andDante Cunningham had anopen 15-footer that might haveturned matters dicey.

Four months ago, NorthCarolina humbled MichiganState at Ford Field 98-63 in theACC-Big Ten Challenge. But asConnecticut coach Jim Calhounwill attest after his team's 82-73loss in Saturday's first semifinal,these are not the sameSpartans.

First, center Goran Suton,Michigan State's top rebounder,missed the Carolina game witha knee injury. Second, the economiccrisis inflicting Michiganmore than most has worsened,giving the Spartans acause greater than themselves.

"I know they're a betterteam" than in December,Lawson said.Lawson also realizes whatMonday's atmosphere will belike.

"Just going around (town),you see a lot of Michigan Stateshirts and tailgates," he said."I appreciate and understandwhat they're grabbing onto,"Williams said.

Hometown advantage aside--Michigan State's campus isabout 90 miles west of here --the quick tempo the Spartansforced against UConn will besuicidal against North Carolina.

Lawson is simply too fastwhen encouraged to play inoverdrive. Saturday he scored22 points and passed for eightassists, both game-highs. Headded seven rebounds -- he'sonly 5-foot-11 -- and two stealsto dismiss the last Big Eastteam standing.

So much for the Big Easthaving the greatest season ofany conference ever. Yes, sevenconference teams earned tournamentbids, a record five advancedto the regional semifinals,and two made the FinalFour.

But Connecticut went downhard to Michigan State, andVillanova never truly testedNorth Carolina.